20 Castles in Aichi worth your time

Explore Furumiya Castle ruins, a historic Takeda clan site showcasing unique construction techniques.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built by the Takeda clan.
• Located in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Designated a historic site by Shinshiro City.
• Selected as one of the Continued Top 100 Japanese Castles in 2017.

What to see

• Castle ruins showing Takeda clan construction techniques.
• A small, isolated hill about 30 meters high.
• Castle measures about 250 meters by 200 meters.
• Eastern and western parts divided by a large moat.
• Main enclosure is about 50 meters square.
• Shiratori Shrine on the south side of the castle ruins.

Read more about Furumiya Castle

Explore Jōjō Castle ruins, a 13th-century flatland castle, a short walk from Kasugai Station.

What it is

• A Japanese flatland castle built in 1218.
• Constructed by Kosaka Mitsuyoshi.
• Abandoned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

What to see

• Concentric layout with three baileys.
• Three layers of earthworks and four layers of moats.
• Main bailey measured 75m east-west and 50m north-south.
• Second bailey measured 150m east-west and 180m north-south.
• Third bailey occupied two-thirds of the castle area.
• Eastern part flowed by Naitetsu River and Shonai River.

Getting there

• 4-minute walk from Kasugai Station.

Read more about Jōjō Castle

Explore Koromo Castle, a historic site with reconstructed elements and panoramic views.

What it is

• Also known as Shichishujo Castle.
• Built in 1782, served as administrative center.
• Relocated to Dojiyama hill in 1749.
• Part of the ruins is a designated historic site.

What to see

• Stone walls of the yagura base remain.
• A corner yagura was reconstructed in 1977.
• The Yujitsutei shoin was moved to this location.
• Dojiyama hill offers views of seven provinces.
• Toyota Municipal Museum of Art is on the grounds.
• Toyota City Museum opens on April 26, 2024.

Read more about Koromo Castle

Explore Nishio Castle's reconstructed gates and towers, a historical park with ongoing restoration.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Mikawa Province, also called Tsuru Castle.
• Originally Saijo Castle, built by Ashikaga Yoshiuji.
• Expanded in 1585 by Sakai Shigetada.
• Abolished in 1878, now a historical park.

What to see

• Nishio City Historical Park, maintaining castle ruins.
• Restored Honmaru Ushitora Yagura and Ninomaru Chujaku Gate.
• Restored Ninomaru Ushitora Yagura and an earthen wall.
• A completed base for a planned wooden tenshu reconstruction.

Read more about Nishio Castle

Explore a reconstructed castle with a rich history and a peaceful Japanese garden.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Owari Province.
• Built in the late Muromachi period.
• Abandoned in 1600 after the Battle of Iwasaki Castle.
• Oda Nobuhide's branch castle.

What to see

• A five-story donjon, rebuilt in 1987.
• Earthworks, moats, and baileys.
• A Japanese garden with a suikinkutsu in the Ninomaru.
• A memorial monument, erected in 1910.

When to go

• The castle site park was developed in 1987.

Read more about Iwasaki Castle

Explore Ina Castle ruins, a historic site and birthplace of the Tokugawa family crest.

What it is

• A Japanese castle built in the Muromachi period.
• Constructed by Honda Sadatada and Honda Sadesuke.
• Residence of the Ina Honda clan for 150 years.
• Designated a historic site in Toyokawa City.

What to see

• Remains of the main enclosure, surrounded by earthworks.
• Site of a cremation facility within the main enclosure.
• Birthplace of the Tokugawa family crest.
• Castle gate relocated to Chusenji Temple.

Read more about Ina Castle

Explore Moriyama Castle ruins, a flatland castle with a dry moat and monument, near Nagoya.

What it is

• A hirayamajiro, a castle built on a hill or mountain in a plain.
• Located in Owari Province, now Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.
• A temple, Hoshō-ji, was built on the site for Kiyoyasu.

What to see

• A monument marks the castle ruins.
• Remains of a dry moat in a bamboo grove.
• Part of the earth mound of the main keep remains.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Yada Station.

Read more about Moriyama Castle

Explore a historic castle site, pivotal in 16th-century samurai warfare, recognized for its strategic importance.

What it is

• A castle built in 1508 by Suganumotoshige.
• Known for the battle preceding the Battle of Nagashino in 1575.
• Became a Tokugawa family castle, expanded by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
• Designated a national historic site in 1929.

What to see

• The main keep and Noyagyu Kuruwa are the only existing enclosures.
• See how natural terrain was used for defense.
• Recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles.

Official site

www.city.shinshiro.lg.jp

Read more about Nagashino Castle

Explore Tahara Castle ruins, a historic site with a unique moat shape and museum, for a glimpse into feudal Japan.

What it is

• A former castle, also known as Tomoejo.
• Built around 1480 by Toda Munemitsu.
• Served as the administrative center of the Tahara Domain.
• A base for the Toda clan's control of Mikawa Bay.

What to see

• The castle site, built on a small hill facing the sea.
• A moat in the unique shape of a tomoe.
• Tomoe Shrine, located on the main keep site.
• Tahara City Museum, also on the castle site.

Read more about Tahara Castle

Explore Okazaki Castle, birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a reconstructed castle with historical significance.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Ryujo.
• Birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a key historical figure.
• Designated as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles.
• The castle site is now Okazaki Park and Ryujo Shrine.

What to see

• The castle keep, restored in 1959.
• The Higashisumi Yagura, rebuilt in 2010.

When to go

• The castle was renovated and reopened on January 21, 2023.

Official site

okazaki-kanko.jp

Read more about Okazaki Castle

Nagoya Castle is a reconstructed historic landmark, home to golden shachihoko, and one of Japan's Great Castles.

What it is

• A Japanese castle, also known as Meijo, Kinshachijo, and Kinjo.
• Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
• Residence for 17 generations of the Owari Tokugawa family.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Castles and a Special Historic Site.

What to see

• The golden shachihoko on the main keep.
• Six structures that survived the 1945 fire.
• Reconstructed main keep and gates.
• Castle ruins within Meijo Park.

Official site

www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp

Read more about Nagoya Castle

Hira Castle was a 16th-century flatland castle, an important outpost now marked by ruins.

What it is

• A Japanese flatland castle from the 16th century.
• Built by Narimune Sassa during the Tenbun era (1532-1555).
• Served as an important outpost for Kiyosu Castle.
• Abandoned in 1575.

What to see

• Castle ruins, believed to be around Komyoji temple.
• Original castle measured 75m east-west, 80m north-south.
• The castle faced the Shonai River to the north.

Read more about Hira Castle

Chiryū Castle was a significant castle and palace, now a park with a monument.

What it is

• A former castle in Mikawa Province.
• Residence of the Nagami clan, chief priests of Chiryū Shrine.
• Original castle built by Nagami Sadaharu.
• Fell in 1560 during the Battle of Okehazama.

What to see

• A monument marks the castle site.
• An information board provides historical details.
• The former castle grounds are now a residential area.

Read more about Chiryū Castle

Yoshida Castle, a historic site in Toyohashi, offers a glimpse into Japan's feudal past.

What it is

• A castle in Toyohashi Park, Aichi Prefecture.
• Predecessor built in the early 16th century.
• Known as Imabashi Castle when first constructed.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2022.

What to see

• Stone walls, earthworks, and moats remain.
• Reconstructed Kurogane Yagura tower from 1954.
• Confluence of the Toyokawa and Asakura Rivers.

Read more about Yoshida Castle

Ogyu Castle is a historic mountain castle ruin, significant for its Matsudaira clan origins.

What it is

• A Japanese mountain castle.
• Designated a national historic site on February 4, 2000.
• Part of the Matsudaira Clan Historic Sites.
• Developed between 1507 and 1510.

What to see

• Castle measures 220m east-west and 280m north-south.
• Two kuruwa called "Mizunote Kuruwa" on the north side.
• Kuruwa served as moats and water sources.

Read more about Ogyū Castle

Explore the ruins of Noda Castle, a 16th-century fortress with historical significance.

What it is

• A castle built by the Suganuma clan in 1505.
• Also known as Negoya Castle or Mikawa Noda Castle.
• Destroyed in 1590 after a history of sieges.

What to see

• Remains of earthen embankments and dry moats.
• A gate from the main keep moved to Hosshō-ji Temple.

Getting there

• Near JR Iida Line Noda-jō Station.

Read more about Noda Castle

Explore Ōtaka Castle, a historic site in Owari Province, known for its role in 16th-century sieges.

What it is

• A former castle in Owari Province.
• Famous for a food supply operation by Matsudaira Motoyasu.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Maintained as a park today.

What to see

• Main existing remains include kuruwa sites.
• See a dry moat.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Ōdaka Station.

Read more about Ōtaka Castle

Explore Kiyosu Castle, a replica of Oda Nobunaga's former base, rich in samurai history.

What it is

• A castle built in 1405 by Shiba Yoshishige.
• It was the base and residence of Oda Nobunaga.
• Became the center of Owari Province in 1478.
• A simulated castle tower was built in 1989.

What to see

• A simulated castle tower.
• A part of the main keep's earthwork remains.
• Traces of liquefaction from two earthquakes.

Read more about Kiyosu Castle

Explore the ruins of a significant flatland castle and learn about its history.

What it is

• A Japanese castle in Mikawa Province, built in 1440.
• The site is a designated historic site of Anjō City.
• It was a flatland castle without a keep.

What to see

• Anjō Castle Site Park, where the ruins are maintained.
• Anjō City History Museum is on the site.
• Anjō Citizen's Gallery is also on the site.

Read more about Anjō Castle

Ōno Castle, a 14th-century hilltop fort, offers bay views and a glimpse into samurai history.

What it is

• Hilltop castle built around 1350 by Isshiki Noruuji.
• Also known as Miyamayama Castle.
• Designated historic site by Tokoname City.
• Maintained as Shiroyama Park.

What to see

• Corner turret-shaped observation deck.
• Views overlooking Ise Bay.
• Saji Shrine, dedicated to the Saji clan.

Read more about Ōno Castle (Chita District, Owari Province)